so if it is to happen on the goldy what kind of timeframe are we looking at? when do conditions come together?

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Mucksy said...

hey guys,

i've just got back from a long time overseas and am itching to get a currumbin alley Gold Coast - QLD) comp up and running in the next year (was thinking feb/march).

i'd be super keen on organising the nationals and i know adam quinn from fanatic/north would be keen on supporting this.

also some brisbane shops would probably throw in too.

we get awesome (albeit not that consistent) conditions in spring with the swells starting to rise and the south east trade winds. we had an EPIC comp here back in 2009 with mast high + and 20-25 knots for the 2009 currumbin classic.

a few questions though - in terms of insurance and stuff for an 'organised event' what would be the process?

i'd be happy to get the comp up and running though and am sure i could get some backing. there's also a local crew in QLd of good wavesailors and for those who have sailed currumbin, even on a small day, know how good it can get.

so i guess it would involve letting the council know as it's a pretty buys spot at times, and also the insurance.

here's a very shaky vid i made from that epic 2009 comp...

al, send me a private message and let's get the ball rolling.

chris

sick i remember 9yrs 1 or 2 days a yr it gettin like that cool

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Al McLeod said...

still isn't organised... don't think any state has even put their hand up to run it?

pretty sure it is supposed to be either SA's or QLD's turn but i guess if they don't do it then other states could go for it?

QLD - ?
SA - ?
NSW - had the last one, possibly organised enough to do it again if everything else falls through?
VIC - not organised enough for 2012, possibly could host nationals in 2013...
TAS - don't think there is anyone down there motivated to run an event that big.
WA - heaps of events already and consistent conditions - could pull it off if everyone else can't get their act together?
THE PROBLEM WITH GOLDY IS THE WIND IS **** ITS USUALLY 10KNOTS OFF SHORE FINE IF U LIKE SAILIN BIG GEAR ENJOY I WONT WAIST MY TIME SORRY GUYS LIVED THERE MY WHOLE LIFE THATS WHY THEY CALL IT SURFERS PARIDISE CONSTRUCTION HAS ONLY MADE IT WORSE BUT I HOPE U ALL GET LUCKY
not much time until the titles are typically held - Jan/Feb but I guess they could be pushed back to Spring/Early summer season next year?

Definitely isn't a good thing for the sport if we don't have a 2012 Australian titles... They are always a lot of fun, meeting fellow wavesailors from across the country and hopefully scoring fun conditions.

Spoke to Tobes tonight at the Merimbula Corona Classic prezzo. We are both keen to judge if you want us.

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Al McLeod said...

so if it is to happen on the goldy what kind of timeframe are we looking at? when do conditions come together?

You need to organize time off work al??????

I know I've been lucky but I've been up there for 5 comps I think, and it's been that size or bigger everytime.

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Scotf said...

Hi Mucksy, re the insurance we probably have a few options for you but would have to act quickly. There was a Wavesailing club in qld a few years ago but unfortunately no one got behind the organizer so he closed it down. The clubs only really work if people join them. There may be an opportunity to reinstate it and overcome a lot of the paperwork or we could hook you up with one of the existing clubs if they were keen.

Give me a call if you want to discuss the options further. Details on WQ website

Windsurfingqld.com
Scot Farley (President Windsurfing Queensland)

scott can you private message me your mobile number and i'll give you a call

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Al McLeod said...

so if it is to happen on the goldy what kind of timeframe are we looking at? when do conditions come together?

conditions are best jan-april/may although can happen any time of year with lows being generated opff vic/nsw and pushing up a SE front to the goldie. they are most consistent though around feb/march so the aim would be to hold it end feb/start march.

a few people have pointed out that some people won't like the conditions if they're light winds - well thats the risk you take when holding a comp. i generally use a 5.4 for when it's light or a 5.0 when it's on (and i'm 89kg) and it is amazing down the line.

thanks to those who have contacted me regarding helping out. most appreciated. i think the first goal is to get insurance (which im yet to talk to scotf about) and permission from the council, which a few people are currently trying to sort out.

talking with simon (board crazy brisbane) he mentioned the process with the council involves a risk assessment and other paperwork and is a bit of a process - but he could help out as he runs the paperwork for all the racing events in and around brisbane.

thats all for now.

chris

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Donk said...

Spoke to Tobes tonight at the Merimbula Corona Classic prezzo. We are both keen to judge if you want us.

awesome! private message me your mobile number mate

chris

yep, the back beach. I remember that year it was soo hollow on the outside bank.

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bowsa said...

Al McLeod said...

so if it is to happen on the goldy what kind of timeframe are we looking at? when do conditions come together?

conditions are best jan-april/may although can happen any time of year with lows being generated opff vic/nsw and pushing up a SE front to the goldie. they are most consistent though around feb/march so the aim would be to hold it end feb/start march.

a few people have pointed out that some people won't like the conditions if they're light winds - well thats the risk you take when holding a comp. i generally use a 5.4 for when it's light or a 5.0 when it's on (and i'm 89kg) and it is amazing down the line.

thanks to those who have contacted me regarding helping out. most appreciated. i think the first goal is to get insurance (which im yet to talk to scotf about) and permission from the council, which a few people are currently trying to sort out.

talking with simon (board crazy brisbane) he mentioned the process with the council involves a risk assessment and other paperwork and is a bit of a process - but he could help out as he runs the paperwork for all the racing events in and around brisbane.

thats all for now.

chris

March is the month to aim for, over the year it has generally been the month for swell and wind. You will need to think about an alternate location if the wind happens to NE , Lennox would be best but that involves two councils in different states.

Keep in mind that the GCCC is very different to deal with than the councils in Bris, you will need to talk to the Life guards very early. Generally due to the number of people that use the Alley they will not grant permission to use that for a comp, this can be circumvented if you have a major sponsor on board (think Billabong size). We never needed to do any sort of risk assessment with the Currumbin comps I ran in the past, however that may well have changed in the past few years.

As I said, give me a call and I can take you through what you need to think about for a comp of this type.

I cant undersatand why lifeguards are issue?
The Alley is a 'coastal bar' with boats using it for ocean access.
The life guards can't (and don't have any jurisdiction) to stop them from using it, so would it be an issue to hold someting a bit further 'downwind' and leave a 50m?? exclusion area adjacent to the rock?? Furthermore, the Gold coast City Council terminate their dredging at the end of the groin and also always admit that they have no control beyond this because it is state government/open waterway.
Also, with the sand buildup over the last year, the outer banks and further downwind are working and nowhere near any swimmers.

Sort of correct, some parts of the Alley are not in the batheing reserve, however if one person were to get washed into laceys they would be in the bathing reserve and subject to the rules of the GC Life guards. Overarching this is that the lifeguards have a level of jurestriction on the gold coast over everything from the border to well beyond the spit. Remember that the life guards have a tower at Currumbin and the fact that it is the life guards that regularly hunt away jet ski riders from the alley (ironically on their jet ski). There is also from time to time a flagged area set up in the estuary and you are not supposed to operate a windsurfer within 60 m of a flagged area.

The jurestriction to protect people vs that to maintain an area is very different.

There are 3 people that have organized wavesailing comps on the gold coast over the past 10 years, and all have had exactly the same experience. I'm not saying it's impossible, with the right people on your side it may be, but the only events that have been sanctioned to use that area in the past either have a very long historical place there, have a very big name sponsor to grease the wheels and increase credibility and/or have the involvement of lifeguards in the sport. Also each of the events have been sanctioned by surfing Australia.

Chris, it would be a very good idea to see if surfing Australia might want to consider being part of the event. Of course this would have to receive the nod from both Aus Windsurfing and WQ, but could help immensely with the running of the event both prior to and during (they have a very professional computerized judging system). At the very least they may be alemto give you further advice on usings the area.

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Chris, it would be a very good idea to see if Surfing Australia might want to consider being part of the event. Of course this would have to receive the nod from both Aus Windsurfing and WQ, but could help immensely with the running of the event both prior to and during (they have a very professional computerized judging system). At the very least they may be alemto give you further advice on usings the area.

Just remember March is when they hold the Quicksilver Pro at Snapper Rocks.

Why are these things such a burecratic nightmare!

I saw mention of Fingal Head as a backup plan if Gold Coast presents too much of a problem?

I haven't personally sailed here.
What is it like?
Are there flagged areas?

Chris, PM me if interested in backup plan for Fingal Head.
Need to get NSW wavesailing involved too??

I know the guy at Tweed Council who issues permits and he told me it shouldn't be a problem for Fingal Head.

He gave me the application form.
Council needs 30 days notice and details of insurance.

Also gave me a contact at maritime to check ok with them too.

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switch101 said...

the alley would be sick if you could get it

yeah hopefully if lucky with the wind i agree

Qld Goldy again

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Stuthepirate said...

Just remember March is when they hold the Quicksilver Pro at Snapper Rocks.

The Quicky is on late Feb to the 7th March, I would suggest later in March for the event (around the 25th).

How much wind is there likely to be at the Goldy around March?

previous years events held during late March have seen upwards of 20 knots and 6ft+ surf. This is certainly the best time of year to hold it here (why both the Breaka pro and Quicky are healed around this time).

But you do need to be warned, the Goldy does not have anywhere near the consistency of wind conditions of many other places around Oz. It might happen, or we could end up with a week of no wind at all.

Upside, we have heaps to do if there is no wind...

you can go surfing



you could go running



get a haircut



or just hang out at the beach

Gday Chris

Currumbin would be awesome if the weather maps kind and no doubt would go off if we could get a permit. I reckon it should be a mobile event either the Bin or Flaty at Lenox ,then we got it all covered just about ,fingers crossed.Not sure about Fingal .Happy to give you hand if you need some help ,just let me no I live down at Cabarita .
Cheers
Matt

Guys

Can we lock in a date so we can organise flights etc?

Thanks for taking the lead on this

J

Here is a pic I took today of alley from up high.
Was 3-5foot+15knot SE
Check out the looong rides - wave starts to right of rock and ends behind the kite. Couple of small windsurfers in the photo somewhere..

Guys

When do you think we are likely to lock this one in? I am getting encouraged to lock into courses and overseas trips early next year and I want to make sure I keep the dates clear for this one

cheers

Jason

Any news on what's happening??

As Al said, any news or is it safe to say its all a bit late now for this season.

for me it's become too late notice for work...

At this stage of the year/season, we really need to start talking about the 2012/2013 Nationals.

10th to 17th of march at currumbin has been locked in and an official thread will be started shortly with accom and other details.

great... got official notice from work tody saying no leave approved till after april. one day to late.... guess i'll be looking for a new job

it better be as good as the footage!! fingers crossed anyway

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greenleader said...

10th to 17th of march at currumbin has been locked in and an official thread will be started shortly with accom and other details.

we just booked the wind and swell too!!!